Whilst Thailand undoubtedly has many social and development challenges of its own, it is also able to support its neighbours as they strive for what Thailand has already achieved. Based on its extensive past experience, Thailand has become a technical resource hub in terms of knowledge and good practices. The country has invested in trilateral regional initiatives together with UNFPA, for example with Bhutan and with Lao PDR, on safe motherhood.

The partnership between Thailand and UNFPA has helped ensure the sustainable development of safe motherhood in Bhutan and Lao PDR through triangular cooperation with these two governments.  Bhutan requested a programme to develop principles and identify the required resources to increase institutional capacities of health workers with advanced midwifery skills in Bhutan. These programmes enabled health managers and health care workers from Bhutan to access the expertise of their Thai counterparts and improve their capacity to deal with obstetric emergencies, as well as improve referral, prenatal and postnatal services. All these factors led to a strong sense of ownership from the Bhutan counterpart, and its continued success. A similar partnership with Lao PDR, National Midwifery Capacity Development 2015-2017, aims to support the country in adopting the International Confederation of Midwifery standards recognized by the World Health Organization as global standards for midwifery best practice. 

In the coming years, UNFPA Thailand plans to increase the Thai government’s capacity to package experiences and good practices, and engage in South-South and triangular cooperation in key areas such as maternal health, elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV, demographic dividend and policy responses, and Universal Health Coverage, particularly as it relates to reproductive and maternal health and family planning.

Click the link to read more of good practices in Bhutan and Lao PDR .